"Is it just me, or are we being watched?"
Kirk looked at McCoy. "You're probably right. By insects, rodents, and those things that go bump in the night." He turned back to the trail ahead of him.
Spock's raised eyebrow spoke, but he declined comment. He seemed to be watching everywhere at once, Kirk noticed. "Nervous?" he prodded.
"Hardly. Vulcans…"
"…don't get nervous." Kirk smiled.
"We are merely very alert." Spock's ears caught something and he froze. The rest of the landing party followed his example, straining to hear what the Vulcan had. When nothing else was heard, Spock murmured, "They are very good."
"Move, people," Kirk ordered. Everyone moved to obey the order…except Chekov. He stood completely still, eyes glazing over. Slowly his knees gave way and he collasped to the forest floor.
"Chekov!" McCoy automatically moved to the fallen man's side, and soon joined him in unconsciousness. Kirk pulled his phaser, moving back away from where he thought the attack was coming from. He was proven wrong when Tomson in the rear of the group collasped.
Kirk removed his communicator. "Kirk to Enterprise." Static was his only repose.
"I believe that whoever is out there does not wish us to leave. " A pause as he checked the phaser. "Or shoot back," he added.
"A disrupter field. They had to think of that, didn't they?"
"They are very good," Spock repeated.
Kirk nodded, then staggered. His hand went to his and felt the dart sticking out. He watched dazedly as he rusehed up to the ground, heard Spock's sharp intake of breath, then the world dimmed and darkened althougher.